Long Eaton United could have fielded the Baris NCEL's youngest ever captain after Michael Armstrong took the armband for Saturday's Premier Division clash with Parkgate.Following the departures of a number of senior players in recent months, manager Mick Galloway has shown great faith in the players who have progressed through the junior ranks at Grange Park.
Against Parkgate they fielded the youngest starting line-up in the club's fifty-six year old history and were able to prevent their high-scoring opponents from registering a goal for the first time in an away league fixture this season.
United's captain on the day was seventeen year-old Michael Armstrong who forced his way into the first team late last season and, on Saturday, was the most experienced player in the Long Eaton side in terms of games played.
Clearly the youngest skipper in Long Eaton's history, it would be not too much of a surprise if he was the youngest club captain in the history of the NCEL.
United's starting line-up below indicates their NCEL appearances.
With the exception of Armstrong and Scott Webb, all the other named players have made their club d?buts this season, eight of which have progressed through the club's junior ranks.
The team was as follows: Scott Webb, (8), Andy Rhodes (1), Kial Thurman (1), Isaac Marshall (17), Michael Armstrong (38), Jimmy Hunter (15), Jacob Webster (17), Blaine Hancock (3), Will Mellors-Blair (26), Josh Hooley (14), Matt Weightman (17).
Meanwhile, congratulations to Long Eaton United who this week received the FA Charter Community Award, the highest achievable award.